Obama gives the A-OK for offshore "expansion" or drilling

Is anyone surprised at this? I am not. This is all about continuing to bring the Republicans into the fold, to work with them, etc. And it may work, because John McCain tweeted, "Drill Baby Drill, where is Pelosi and Reid on this?"

I hope President Obama gets Republican support, he wants it badly, but after the health care debacle which the Republicans were allowed last summer to destroy what the bill would do for the individual American, does anyone expect them to show good faith on ANYTHING going forward? I don't. And Obama, again, giving the Republicans their largest bone, "OFF SHORE DRILLING". Just as he gave them good cuts in the health insurance bill, but he still did not get ONE VOTE. just sayin'.....

President Obama will announce new plans to drill for oil and natural gas off America's coasts Wednesday but will rule out drilling off California, Oregon and Washington state through 2017, administration officials say.

Obama's plans will include opening new areas of coastal Virginia and other parts of the mid-Atlantic region, Alaska and the eastern Gulf of Mexico for drilling. But officials say the president will block drilling in Alaska's Bristol Bay, where the George W. Bush administration's drilling plans in 2007 angered environmentalists.

According to administration officials, the plan would:

* Eventually open two-thirds of the eastern Gulf's oil and gas resources for drilling.

* Proceed with drilling off Virginia, provided the project clears environmental and military reviews.

* Study the viability of drilling off the mid- and southern Atlantic coasts.

* Study the viability of drilling in Alaska's Beaufort and Chukchi seas -- areas hotly defended by environmentalists -- but issue no new drilling leases in either sea before 2013.

The eastern Gulf of Mexico leases hinge on Congress lifting a moratorium on drilling there. Even if that happens, administration officials said, Obama's plan included no drilling within 125 miles of the Florida coastline.

The announcement, scheduled for an energy security event at Joint Base Andrews Naval Air Facility, will be Obama's first major policy step into the politically charged area of offshore drilling.

The president's drilling plans run through 2017. The likely scope and details of the proposals represent compromises that risk angering energy companies and environmentalists alike. read more here....

Also, read a comprehensive diary on this with pictures of the possible drilling sites, here.

Oh, and don't forget what candidate Obama said about drilling for oil and how it would not help anyone. Yes, such a long time ago.



and the President's announcement today on the off shore drilling expansion, a decision he has not taken lightly....



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Obama on Nuclear Energy and becoming Energy Independent (Video)

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Climate Bill Passes the House, BARELY

Some heavy lifting and arm twisting was done by President Obama and former Vice President Gore to get this passed in the House.

Reflecting the tenseness of the legislative debate, the White House and Democratic leadership have ratcheted up their efforts to ensure party unity. Among those making calls to lawmakers on the fence include Al Gore and President Barack Obama. According to a senior Hill aide, who asked to remain anonymous, Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel and Labor Secretary Hilda Solis -- both recent recruits from the House -- have been calling former colleagues as well.

The key argument being conveyed is that this bill is the last big bite at the environmental policy apple.

"If it goes down, climate change is stymied," said one Democratic aide.

Well, it was not stymied and the bill is now on its way to the senate.

In a triumph for President Barack Obama on Friday, the Democratic-controlled House narrowly passed sweeping legislation calling for the nation's first-ever limits on pollution linked to global warming.

The bill also aims to usher in a new era of cleaner, yet more costly energy.

The vote was 219-212, capping months of negotiations and days of intense bargaining among Democrats. Republicans were overwhelmingly against the measure, saying it would cost jobs in the midst of a recession.

Republicans had sought to delay the inevitable. Moments before the final vote, House Republican John Boehner of Ohio plunged into a lengthy speech, methodically raising questions about numerous changes that he said Democrats had made public after 3 a.m. Friday.

He called the bill "the most profound piece of legislation to come to this floor in 100 years," but one that would create "a bureaucratic nightmare" without solving the nation's energy problems. read more here....

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Obama announces Energy Bill (Video)

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Obama's Remarks on Car Emissions (Video and Transcript)

Obama gets broad support on car emissions

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Obama's remarks on investing in clean energy (Video and Transcript)

Obama's Remarks on Clean Energy

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Obama announcement to allow states cap car emissions (Video)

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Obama's Speech on his Reinvestment Plan at Cardinal Fastener in Ohio (Video & Transcript)

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Obama says his 'first job' is to 'put people back to work'

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Saudi Arabia's Oil Kings confident U.S.A. will continue to need THEM, from 60 Minutes (Video)

This is really an eye catching, reality check for every American driving a car. Their attitude and smugness is beyond, belief. Total h/t to jedreport for enlightening us all.



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Obama Evening Wrap Up. Times are going to be tough.

The Obamas on dueling covers for Essence Magazine

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First, I am patting myself on the back for coming back!

Next, the economy will become worse before it gets better. Those holding onto their jobs are doing so with the "what is next" syndrome. Those looking for a job, it is hard as hell. Those on the unemployment take are hoping for many extensions. Those with money are not spending so easily, as before. And the banks are still not lending to ease the credit crunch out on Main Street.

The economic recession will get significantly worse before it starts to improve, President-elect Barack Obama said, seeking in an interview broadcast Sunday to tamp down expectations as he prepares to assume the presidency in 44 days.



“If you look at the unemployment numbers ... the fragility of the financial system and the fact that it’s an international system,” the recession “is a big problem, and it’s going to get worse,” Obama told NBC News’ Tom Brokaw on Saturday. The interview aired Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”

Many Americans, moi included, were not happy to bail out Wall Street. Call it what you may, these are greedy "you know whats" that got free money. Yes, free money. Congress only gave Paulson (that is Hank Paulson the weakest Treasury Secretary evah) half of the TARP money that was requested and Paulson did spread it around to the flailing banks, only to have these institutions to sit on the money. This now makes Dodd, Frank from congress to not dish out the other half. Can we ask congress WTF is on their minds to give out money on this caliber and not ask for strenuous oversight? Can I type merry-go-round? Oh, Bush Administration is not too happy about this, either.

Barack Obama's transition team is resisting Bush administration overtures to coordinate more on the financial-sector rescue, convinced that neither the lame-duck President George W. Bush nor the president-elect has the clout to win a smooth congressional release of more bailout funds.

With the first $350 billion of the bailout money nearly allocated, transition aides are pressing Treasury officials to convene a bipartisan meeting on Capitol Hill this week. Obama aides say the Treasury needs to sound out congressional leaders and rank-and-file lawmakers on what information they need to release the second, $350 billion tranche from the government's Troubled Asset Relief Program, or TARP.

While the bickering continues on the 350B TARP money, the auto industry is tanking and I mean it is going downhill so fast, my car cannot keep up!! The stench of the industry still is in the air for many Americans. We remember, or I was reminded by my mother, that the auto industry had gotten a bailout before in the late 70s or early 80s. This is when gas was not available anywhere and the cars or "gas guzzlers" were not worth the price tag at the dealership. I am sorry, but those issues with the auto industry are the same issues we are facing today. The sad part about it is that the automotive industry has been moving like turtles to fix it. This means that one of these giants will probably close their doors permanently. The industry will not get the 25B it is asking, but 15B with strict restructuring. The government could own a piece of the automotive industry, if this goes through, as we own a piece of these banks.



Sure this is not good for many auto workers, but again, what industry is next for a bailout? The American Public has not gotten any help or bailout from congress and this current administration is probably not likely to do anything with the door opening wider for Bush and Co. to leave. By the way, Obama agrees with congress asking for restructuring of the auto industry before any "checks" are disbursed. And the American Public is not for an auto industry bailout.

Lastly, these unemployment numbers should worry many out here. As long as folks are losing jobs, this means no health insurance, unable to pay bills, foreclosures will continue, car repossession is spiking, many restaurants are closing since many don't have that "extra" money, and retailers are in the toilet. In fact a shock was told to me that Bally's Fitness is in bankruptcy. What does this mean? That even a monthly fitness bill is too costly for many in this country. That is deep, not a shock, but deep in reality.

As many Americans are trying to hold on, the last thing folks want to hear is "Have a Holly, Jolly Christmas This Year". Yeah, it would be all that if many had a JOB.

Next bailout, retail giants? Are we going down that dark road? I hope not.

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Obama Weekly Address, December 6, 2008



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The Supreme Court says "NO" to Obama Citizenship Case

This was a bogus case. Straight up. Read about it, here.



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and....................

General Eric Shinseki, Veterans Affairs Secretary Designate

Michelle Obama's Effortless Style

Caroline Kennedy for Clinton's Senate Seat

Obama wants broadband part of stimulus package

Obama ordering new tuxedo in 15 years

Obama meeting Gore, with Biden in Chicago tomorrow

Hillary and Condi having dinner

Jesse Jackson, Jr. still stumping for Obama's senate seat

Congressman William "Hiding 100K in the Freezer" Jefferson (D-LA) was finally defeated, first Vietnamese going to congress, yes a Republican

Who is dressing Michelle for inauguration night?

The Obama Brand

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So, now it is uncertain future for Democrats? The continual drivel of the MSM.



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Gore meeting with Obama and Biden Tomorrow

Main topic: Climate Change and energy issues.

Read it, here.

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